- Six kidnappers engaged police in gun battle, overpowered and fled with injuries.
- The commissioner of police commended operatives and assured commitment to fighting criminality.
The Kwara police command said it has rescued 13 kidnapped victims in the Oke-Ero local government area of the state.
Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, spokesperson for the command, confirmed the development in a statement on Saturday.
The police spokesperson stated that the rescue followed a distress call received on December 21, 2024.
“The victims, who were forcefully abducted by armed assailants on their way to a wedding programme in Kogi State, were rescued in a joint operation involving the police and the Oke-Ero local government security initiative personnel.
The rescue team swiftly mobilized to the suspects’ hideout in the Idofin-Igbana area, acting on credible intelligence and local informants’ support.
“Upon sighting the security team, the kidnappers, six in number and some dressed to disguise in military uniforms, engaged the operatives in a gun battle but were overpowered by the superior firepower of the rescue team.
“The suspects fled the scene with various degrees of injuries, abandoning their captives in the process,” Ejire-Adeyemi said.
The rescued victims comprised three females and 10 males from various locations, including Odo-Owa, Ilorin, Ogbomoso, and a group of trailer drivers en route Kogi State.
“While two victims sustained minor gunshot injuries, all victims received immediate medical care at a nearby hospital, were stabilized, and reunited with their families.
Commissioner of Police Victor Olaiya commended the operatives’ resilience and swift response, expressing gratitude to local communities for providing timely, credible information.
He assured the public of the Command’s commitment to fighting criminality in all forms.
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